“I came to talk about how America can get back to a place where we’re creating good, middle-class jobs again,” he said at Reynolds Coliseum. “Jobs that pay well. Jobs that offer some security. Jobs that are available for all the young people who are going to be graduating from NC State. I know that’s what the students are thinking about.”

Obama outlined his jobs proposal, a package of tax credits, tax cuts and infrastructure improvements that would, he said, create jobs and “provide tax relief for every worker and every small business owner in America.” If passed, Obama said the bill would affect 170,000 small business owners in North Carolina.

Obama asked the packed house to contact members of Congress and urge them to support the American Jobs Act.

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NC State students, who made up a large share of the audience at Reynolds, greeted Obama warmly. Seeing Obama speak was “electrifying,” senior English major Patrick Holt said.

“I think it says a lot of good things about NC State that he came here,” Holt said.

“It’s nice to know that NC State is on his radar,” added Ronlee Ben-Gal, a senior graphic design major.

Speaking before Obama, Chancellor Randy Woodson said it was “most fitting” that the president chose NC State as the venue for a discussion of job creation.

“From our founding 125 years ago, NC State has a proud tradition of economic development as part of our core mission,” he said. “We create new knowledge through research. We educate students. We develop partnerships to drive innovation and improve the lives of our citizens. And we create jobs.”

Woodson noted that more than 80 startup companies have roots at NC State, including software developer SAS and LED lighting manufacturer Cree.